Mechanical musical instrument



UNITED STATES PATENT @ri-arctic- JOHN MUTAMMANY, OF lVOROESTER, BLXSSACHUSETTS.

lVlECHANlCAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

{S-ECFICATEON forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,386, dated October 2, 1888.

Application filed'l'unc 20, ISS?. Serial No. 211,32). (o model.)

To @ZZ wtont it' 71mg concern.-

Be it known that I, JoiiN MCTAMMANY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Voreester, in the county of Wvorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is a specification sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same.

The objects of my present invention are, first, to provide an automatic musical instrument having a sheet-propelling mechanism, the operation of which is controlled pneumatically by perforations in the sheet which is propelled thereby, second, to provide in an automatic musical instrument means for automatically propelling the music-sheet by pneumatic pressure or air-current induced by the bellows or other wind-inducing apparatus,and devices for controlling the action thereof by the perforated music sheet; third, to provide a perforated music-sheet having series of perforations for controlling the action of the sound-producing devices, and in combination therewith one or more series of perforations for controlling motor mechanism, whereby the sheet-propelling devices are operated. These objects I attain by means substantially such as explained in the following description, the particular subject-matter claimed being here inafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of so much of an automatic musical instrument as will illustrate the nature of my invention. Fig. 2A is a vertical transverse section of the same at line X X on Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a diagram (plan and section) illustrating the method whereby two motors may he operated by a single row of perforations with the controlling-sheet.

In carrying out my invention I employ a tracker-range similar to that heretofore cmployed in automatic musical instruments wherein the sounding devices are controlled by pneumatic actions, over which tracker-range the music-sheet is drawn from the spool to the winding-roll, said sheet preferably acting as a valve for the tracker-ducts. Said tracker is provided with the usual windways for the Soundingdevice actions, and also with additional wind which lead to pncumatics which control air-inlet valves that open and close passages leading to pneumatic motors or collapsible chambers, the movable parts of which are connected by a suitable pawl and ratchet or equivalent mechanism .for operating the winding-roll, or with an auxiliary wheel or shaft, by which rotative movement is imparted to said winding-roll. The action of the air-inlet Valve changes the communication from the interior of the motor or collapsible chamber either to the exterior atmosphere or to the interior of the wind-chest, so that said motor or collapsible chamber will become indated or collapsed accordingly as the valve is shifted and the atmospheric pressure varies between that of thc external air and internal pressure of the wind-chest. Two or more sets of such collapsible chambers or motors and -their controlling and connecting devices are employed, so that one set may be in operation, driving the winding-roll and advancing the music or controlling sheet while the others are recovering or returning to normal position, thus giving by the joint action of the several motors a continuous forward motion to the sheet.

rPhe music-sheet or controlliiwstrip I provide with series of pcrforations distinct from and in addition to the perforations employed for controlling the sounding devices,and which serve for alternately opening and closing the auxiliary ducts or windways formed through the tracker and leading tothe pneumatics that actuate the puppets or air-inlet valve, which change the direction of air current or pressure in the collapsible chambers, so that when the movement is once started the operation of the driving mechanism is controlled and kept in motion by the perforated sheet, which is propelled or operated thereby.

In reference to parts, A denotes the main wind-chest of an automatic musical instrunient having a tubeboard,c, containing reeds or other sound-producing devices and valve mechanism disposed in connection therewith for operation in any suitable or weil-known manner, whereby the action of sounding devices is controlled by the perforated music- Sheet as it passes forward over the trackerrange.

B indicates the bellows, and B' the exhaust ers or feeders, of any well-known construction, whereby air-pressure in the wind-chest is exhausted for inducing wind-currents or pneumatic pressure for operating the instrument.

A indicates an auxiliary chamber in connection with the wind-chest and connected by a passage, c, with a supplementary chamber, C, in which is a valve or puppet, D, fitted to close either the passage c, leading into the wind chest, or an opposite passage, d, leading from the exterior air into said supplemental chamber, as indicated.

In the present instance the chamber A has a partition across it,through which are formed air-passages, for which a cutotf, slide, or shutter is provided for closing said passages, and thereby stopping of the motor action.

E indicates the operating-motor consisting, preferably, of a collapsible chamber or bellows pneumatic the interior of which connects by a passage, c, with the supplemental chamber C, so that its interior air-pressure will correspond with the air-pressure in said supplemental chamber C. The movable part of the pneumatic motor is connected by an arm, E', with a pawl or operating device, G, that engages a ratchet-wheel, F', connected with the winding-roll F, so that when the motor collapses, the power and movement will be transmitted to and operative for rotating the winding roll. instance employed for pressing the pawl G against the ratchet-wheel F. A rocker-bar, H,arranged adjacent to the pawl G,is adapted to be turned back ward for throwing the pawls out of engagement with the ratchet-wheels, and thus releasing the winding-roll, so that the music-sheet M can be run back or rearward onto the spool or rewinding roll J.

A motor, E, pawl G, and ratchet F are arranged at each end ofthe winding-roll, se that one set will be exerting its force foradvancing the winding-roll, while the other set is recovn ering or returning to normal position.

It in any instance it is preferred, more than two sets of motors E, pawls and ratchetwheels, operating as described, may be employed for propelling the winding-roll, and said ratchet-wheels, instead of being arranged directly upon the winding-roll axle, can be arranged upon an auxiliary shaft," said shaft in turn being connected with the winding roll axle by suitable driving belt or gearing, as may be most convenient in the disposition of the mechanism in the instrument.

The pawl and ratchet mechanism, although herein shown as engaging by means of teeth, can, if preferred, be made to act by frictional or binding contact, as in any of the wellknown mechanical equivalents of pawl-and.- ratchet actions for transmitting power and movement from the vibrating pneumatic E to the rotating shaft or winding-roll F, which carries the music-sheet.

The tracker I, over which the music-sheet passes, is provided with windways or ducts A spring,f, is in the present ceases for vthe sounding-device action.I and also with additional ducts, and i', one of which leads to the pneumatic K, beneath the stem D of the puppet or valve D, as shown in Fig. 2. Said pneumatic is preferably made as a circular flexible diaphragm supporting adisk with the valvestem resting on its center without being connected thereto,and is provided with asmall weight, k', sothat it will close quickly. In the passage leading to said pneumaticis a pinhole escapement, as at Z, for exhausting the pneumatic when the tracker-duet is closed.

In the present instance two sets of pneumatics, puppet-valves, and air-ducts, respectively arranged at each side of the instrument to correspond with the two motors E E, are employed; but I do not desire to coniine my invention to this particular arrangement of parts, as said devices could be arranged both at one side or in any convenient position for effecting equivalent operation.

The music or controlling sheetM is provided with a series of perforations, m, distinct from and in addition to the music-perforations that control the sounding devices, and said perforations m are disposed in a manner to alternately open and close the respective ducts fi i. When the duct z' is opened, (the wind-chest A being exhausted,) the pneumatic K immediately becomes inliated, lifting the valveD from its seat to the top of the chamber, and thereby opening the passage c and closing the passage d into said chamber, thus putting the motor E in communication with the interior of the wind-chest and exhausting the pressure from its interior, so that the excess of the atmospheric pressure on the exterior` ofthe motor E causes it to immediately collapse,thereby moving the pawl G, which is engaged with the ratchet F, and consequently effecting a partial rotation of the winding-roll F. Then, when the air duct of the tracker is closed by the solid portion of the sheet, the pneumatic Kis immediately exhausted and collapsed, allowing the puppet D to drop to theposition shown in Fig. 2, closing the passage c and opening the passage d, so that theinterior of the motor E will be in direct communication with the exterior atmosphere, thereby allowing the movable part of' said motor to drop by gravity to its normal position and allow the pawl to recover or take a new hold upon the ratchetwheel. If in any instance it is preferred, a spring or weight may be combined with the motor to bring it more readily to normal position.

A friction device, I?, is combined with the winding-roll F or the shaft on which theratchet-wheels F are mounted, to prevent the said Wheels and winding-roll from rotation, except as forced forward by the ratchets, and an adjusting device or threaded stud, P', is combined with the friction-presser for regulating the tension of the-friction.

The devices for putting on and taking olf the music-sheet spool J on its supporting-frame It may be such as are well known and at present ICO IIO

'scosse employed in automatic instruments, and need not, therefore, be herein described or shown.

rPhe rewinding of the lnusic-sheet from the winding-roll to the spool J can be effected by a crank, J', after the bar H has been turned back to relieve pawls from the ratchet mechanism, or by other suitable means.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a method whereby two motors can be controlled by a single row of holes, m, in the perforated controllingstrip. In this the two ducts t' and i are formed in the tracker at thesameinterval of its length, but at different positions in its width, and the holes m in the perforated strip are formed at such distances apart that one of said ducts, fi', will be closed while the other, i, is opened, and vice versa, as the perforated strip is moved along over the tracker.

S indicates a slide, cut-off, or shutter arranged in the upper part of the chamber A for closing the air-passages c and stopping off the motor action. Said slide may be operated by a rod, S', projecting through the wall of the auxiliary chamber, connected with a stoppull or worked in other suitable manner. XVhen the passage c is closed, the exhaust action cannot take eifect on the motors E. By partially closing the slide S to a greater or less degree the speed of action of the motors E and parts operated thereby can be increased or diminished, and the execution of the music thus ,regulated as desired.

VhatI claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A music sheet for automatic musical instruments, having the rows of perforations t for controlling the action of sound-producing devices and two (or more) additional series of longitudinally disposed perforations, au, in successive order throughout the length of said sheet, one series consecutively spaced at alternating intervals with the other series, as shown and described, whereby said sheet is adapted for effecting the operation in pneumatiemotor mechanism for propelling the sheet.

2. In an automatic musical instrument, a pneumatic motor having connections for propelling the perforated music-sheet, in combination with a perforated sheet propelled thereby, having a series of perforations that control the sounding devices and an auxiliary series of perforations that control the supplemental valves, whereby the inflow and outflow of air to operate said pneumatic sheet-propel ling motor is regulated, substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination, with the sheet-propelling rolls or windingspool, of a pneumatic motor (or motors) for imparting motion to said sheetpropelling rolls, operated by air-pressure induced by the bellows or other windindueing apparatus of the instrument, having suitable windways and ducts for governing the pneumatic action, and a band or sheet carried by said propelling mechanism, having a series of perforations for inducing the consecutive collapse and inliation of said propelling or motor pneumatics, substantially as set forth, whereby the propelling action of the mechanism is regulated by or dependent upon the sheet thereby propelled.

4. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination, substantially as described, of the windingroll having ratchet-wheels connected therewith; the pneumatic motors provided with pawls that engage said ratchets for operating said roll, pneumatically-operated valves D, controlling the airpassages ot' said motors, and a perforated musicshcet having an auxiliary series of perforations that regulate the opening and closing of said valves, for the purA pose set forth.

5. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of the winding-roll and rewindingroll carrying the perforated sheet, the collapsible pneumatic motors having connections for imparting rotative action to said winding roll, and air-passages to the external air and into the interior of the windchest, a primary valve, D, that alternately opens and closes said air-passages, a pneu matic forworling said primary valve, provided with a windway leading to a tracker-duct, and a perforated musicsheet provided with auxiliary series of perforations that control said ducts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

TvVitness my hand this 31st day of May, A. D. 1887.

JOHN MC'IAMMANY.

W-itnesses:

CHAs. H. BURLEIGH, ELLA I. BLENUs. 

